the fiscal cliff is getting closer. then on the threat of panic, force through some deal to maintain the status quo for taxes, more spending, more debt. it would be presented to the senate in a way that if it's not adopted immediately, the country will be in great fiscal danger. this process. -- this process needs to be taken out of the shadows. we need public debate, and people would know the facts that are now being hidden from us and hidden from members of congress. we don't know what's going on. the latest article in "politico" today said the deal -- the so-called deal has been negotiated by the speaker of the house and the president, not even harry reid is in the meetings, apparently. certainly not the members of the united states national or the members of the house of representatives -- united states senate or the members of the house of representatives. and if we had a public debate, people would discover that according to the c.b.o. mandatory spending is going to increase -- increase nearly 90% over the next te